After three previous visits to Portugal, Cascais played excellent hosts for the first time in 2010 offering a good range of breezes, superb sailing infrastructure and a townscape which is both rich with historical buildings and architecture but offers great access to Lisbon which is only 25 minutes by road.
The town has grown from its origins as a fishing village which grew up to become a destination enjoyed by royalty in the early 20th Century. Now it is colourful, vibrant and chic, retaining its village centre, built along the rocky town beaches, but the upscale suburbs just a few kilometers from the centre are home to some of the capital’s more sought after real estate, country clubs and hotel complexes, as well as being an easy commute to the city. But on the harbourfront the fish auctions still take place daily by the fishing boats.
Five kilometres west along the coast is the surf mecca of Guincho and, beyond, the most westerly point of the European mainland. From the town seafront going east, the waterside promenade connects with Estoril with its beaches, casino and upmarket hotels.
Succeeding match race championships, major world and European class championships, Cascais hosted the 2007 ISAF World Sailing Championships and has a great shoreside set up for regattas. For the TP52’s the coastal race east up the Rio Tejo towards the massive iconic Vasco De Gama bridge is a classic, and very different to what is on offer at other venues. |
